Category: Dual Language Programs

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New York City’s Arabic Dual-Language Program Is Thriving

P.S./I.S. 30 Mary White Ovington School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn hosts New York City’s only Arabic dual-language program. From pre-K to 5th grade, and soon 8th grade, it is always a joy to see the children flourish in two languages. After several months of extensive collaboration and planning, the Arabic dual-language program at P.S./I.S.30 opened its doors in September 2013. The dual-language curriculum was designed as a split day, where morning classes are taught in Arabic and afternoon classes in English, or vice versa.

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Inauguration of New Mural by French Artist Hervé Tullet at P.S 84

French artist Hervé Tullet has done it again! This time he has touched two school communities in Manhattan: P.S. 84 The Lillian Weber School of the Arts and Lafayette Academy (M.S. 256). Both schools boast a French dual-language program and now a beautiful collection of artworks painted by the entire community. Even an entire wall was unveiled, showing the impact of art in getting a community closer together.

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Multilingual Education Fair in Washington, DC

I am thrilled to keynote during DC’s upcoming Multilingual Education Fair on January 26. Co-sponsored by the key education institutions of the District, the fair features 100 exhibitors covering 12 languages to allow you to explore and deepen your linguistic and cultural skills, and learn about careers where language skills are crucial.
The Fair will be located on the Gallaudet University campus at the I. King Jordan Student Academic Center (800 Florida Ave NE, Washington DC 20002).

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Sylvia Wellhoëfer and the Bilingual Revolution in German

Sylvia Wellhoëfer is a German mom I met a few years ago in Brooklyn. With a group of parents she created NYC’s first German dual-language program and she was the inspiration for my chapter on German in my book, The Bilingual Revolution. One thing leading to another, we are launching this book’s German version at Goethe-Institut New York on January 8 (see Book release of Die bilinguale revolution). I am pretty sure this will trigger many more good things here and in Germany.

Book cover credit: Raymond Verdaguer

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Book Release Die bilinguale revolution

Join me on Tuesday January 8, 2019 for the book launch of Die bilingualerevolution, Zweisprachigkeit und die Zukunft der Bildung at the Goethe Institut of NewYork.

The book will be available for purchase and I will sign copies.
All net proceeds of the evening will support the German Dual Language Program at P.S. 18 Edward Bush located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

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The Japanese-English Dual Language Program in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Multilingual kids from all socio-economic and racial backgrounds thriving in a Japanese-English dual-language program. In Bushwick! In a public school! For free!

This is a no-brainer. Dual language programs are for everyone. They should be offered everywhere. And it shouldn’t be that complicated for parents and educators to create these programs. Read more about what it took to get the program started here. And watch a few videos from the school here

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The Gift of Languages

During New York’s Bilingual Fair with Kathleen Stein-Smith and our soon-to-be released book, The Gift of Languages: Paradigm Shift In Foreign Language Education. The book explores the many advantages of multilingual education and sets the stage for a new paradigm in our approach to teaching and learning languages. Also, the book touches on the issue … Continue reading The Gift of Languages

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Startalk Keynote in Houston

I was thrilled to deliver the keynote speech during the STARTALK Fall Conference in Houston, Texas which was held on October 19 and 20, 2018, at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria Hotel. The STARTALK Fall 2018 Conference focused on sharing practices, innovative strategies, effective learning tools and resources, and insights uncovered by reflection practices that were experienced in various STARTALK programs.

STARTALK is a federal grant program funded by the National Security Agency and administered by the National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland. STARTALK grants fund summer world language learning programs as well as professional development programs for world language teachers. STARTALK grants support programs for students and teachers of eleven critical need languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu.

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Through these programs, the STARTALK program seeks to achieve three goals:
– Increase the number of students enrolled in the study of critical languages
– Increase the number of highly effective critical-language teachers in the U.S.
– Increase the number of highly effective materials and curricula available to teachers and students of critical-need languages

My speech focused on the Bilingual Revolution and how parents and linguistic communities can play a role in creating multilingual programs in schools. After the presentation I met many interesting people who were willing to translate my book in Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Portuguese, Turkish and more.

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